BANE, OGONILAND. November 1, 2025 | Kabido News
The Federal Government has inaugurated newly completed clean water facilities in Bane and Gwara communities of Ogoniland, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s environmental restoration efforts under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, led the commissioning on Saturday, describing the projects as a “fresh start” for communities long impacted by decades of oil pollution.
“Access to clean, safe, and reliable water is a fundamental human right and a symbol of renewed hope,”
-Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment
He noted that the initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to restoring environmental integrity and uplifting communities historically affected by hydrocarbon contamination.
Implemented in line with the 2011 UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, the facilities will provide potable water to thousands, addressing one of the region’s most urgent public health concerns.
The Minister commended HYPREP’s management, contractors, and local stakeholders for their collaboration, emphasizing that the project’s success demonstrates “the power of partnership for sustainable development.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, livelihood restoration, and environmental resilience, urging residents to take ownership and ensure the long-term maintenance of the new infrastructure.
“Together, we will rebuild trust, heal the land, and lay the foundation for a greener, healthier future for Ogoniland and Rivers State,”
— Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal